Pros and cons of 49ers initial free agency moves

Dee Ford, Kwon Alexander arrive to boost a dull defense

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Running back Latavius Murray #28 of the Oakland Raiders is brought down by middle linebacker Kwon Alexander #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images)

Dee Ford #55 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks in to the backfield prior to the snap during the first quarter of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Arrowhead Stadium on November 11, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman breaks the tackle of Oakland Raiders saftey Reggie Nelson as Coleman rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams, top, makes a catch while under pressure from San Francisco 49ers defensive back Jimmie Ward during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Sanchez)

SANTA CLARA — One day into free agency – plus the heavy-lifting, pre-agency period – and the 49ers have taken a prudent approach.

Fans wanted a bigger splash, such as cutting off Odell Beckham Jr.’s go-route to the Browns.

Fans cringed at welcoming a player who’s already dealing from this franchise’s most damning injury in recent years: an anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Fans fretted over the return of Jimmie (medical) Ward.

What fans need to realize: free agency is often more harmful to a franchise’s health than helpful, unless a team is on the precipice of Super Bowl contention and goes all in on players. Or they’re the Browns.

That said, let’s break down each of the moves involving the 49ers.

ACQUIRED

Pass rusher Dee Ford

The Chiefs parted with their franchise-tagged player for a 2020 second-round draft pick, presuming he passed his 49ers physical. His career-high 13 sacks last season and NFL-best seven forced fumbles are exactly the production needed by a 49ers defense desperate for a better pass rush. The 49ers are locking Ford up on a reported five-year, $87.5 million deal, per ESPN.

Pros: Fills a great need, he turns 28 next week, he’s the speedy edge rusher needed for the 49ers’ new wide-9 technique.

Cons: He has a history of back injuries and he jumps offside (12 times in four seasons, the last being a penalty that virtually cost the Chiefs an AFC title vs. the Patriots).

* * *

Linebacker Kwon Alexander

The 49ers’ first reported deal of free agency surprised many, mostly because of initial reports of a staggering contract (which ultimately is more of a one-year, prove-it deal) and because he is coming off an ACL tear like so many of the 49ers previous failed projects. GM John Lynch, a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ring of honor, surely is familiar with the new linebacker he’s invested in for the 49ers’ future.

Pros: When healthy, his speed makes him a play-making machine. He blossomed into a team leader for the Buccaneers. He should team with Fred Warner for years as rangy, ball-hawking inside linebackers – a role that Reuben Foster failed to fulfill before last November’s release.

Cons: ACL injuries are tricky, and as much as people tout the full-recovery rate, the 49ers’ history says otherwise, excluding Frank Gore. This regime can’t afford another miss at inside linebacker, not after missing on Foster and Malcolm Smith.

* * *

Running back Tevin Coleman

Fast, versatile running backs are mandatory for coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme, and Coleman has experience in it from his first two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons when Shanahan was the coordinator. Coleman’s career-high 14 starts last season showed he’s capable of filling the 49ers’ workhorse role if Jerick McKinnon is not ready to return from his ACL injury. Coleman also can blend into a rotation with McKinnon and Matt Breida and/or Raheem Mostert, which is what the 49ers surely desire.

Pros: A two-year, $10 million deal is way more affordable than what the 49ers would have overpaid for Le’Veon Bell, and reports suggest they made a last-minute push for the former Steelers star. Versatility, familiarity and starting experience all make Coleman a wonderful fit.

Cons: Breida was among the first 49ers to welcome Coleman via social media but how tense will this running back room be with so many options and will McKinnon be as welcoming after spending the past six months in intense rehab (with Jimmy Garoppolo)?

* * *

Defensive back Jimmie Ward

Technically he could be in the “re-signed” category below but he at least tested the market. Injuries, from broken bones to soft-tissue issues, have marred Ward’s career since the 49ers drafted him in the first round in 2014. They know his potential better than others, however, so a one-year, $5 million contract (a few hours into free agency) makes sense – and makes amends after Ward garnered $8.5 million last season after missing the final seven games with a forearm fracture.

Pros: He’s best suited at his preferred position of free safety, where there is a need or at least competition to be had with Adrian Colbert and D.J. Reed (and perhaps a high draft pick). His experience to play in the slot or outside cornerback are also valuable. Look, folks: He’s shown enough flashes of talent, instincts and physicality to afford him another shot.

Cons: Injuries. He’s finished on injured reserve in 4-of-5 seasons, courtesy of foot, shoulder and forearm fractures, not to mention other bouts with concussion, quadriceps, hamstrings and probably other pains.

* * *

RE-SIGNED

Guard Mike Person: A 16-game starter last season at right guard, he’ll have to hold off Joshua Garnett and possibly Erik Magnuson or a draft pick or journeyman veteran.

Long snapper Kyle Nelson: Six games remain on last year’s 10-game suspension for a second violation of the performance-enhancing substance policy. So Colin Holba has a job until then.

* * *

FRANCHISED

Kicker Robbie Gould: Two seasons of near-perfect accuracy prompted the 49ers to slap the $5 million franchise tag on Gould, blocking a potential return to the Chicago Bears.

TENDERED

Running back Raheem Mostert: He’s invaluable on special teams, and he proved surprisingly capable as a running back last season before a forearm fracture. Does Matt Breida have to beat him out to suit up for games?

Cornerback Greg Mabin: No top-shelf cornerback arrived for the 49ers in Day 1 of free agency, but more competition surely will come for Mabin to conquer and stick.

Linebacker Elijah Lee: He came on strong last year and will likely need to beat out Malcolm Smith for a roster spot, which is the expected result.

* * *

DEPARTED

Punter Bradley Pinion: His four-year tenure is done as he heads closer to his native North Carolina and settles in with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

* * *

FREE AGENTS

Wide receiver Pierre Garçon: His 2019 option wasn’t exercised after injuries kept him out half of the 49ers’ games since 2017. He was on pace for a 1,000-yard season in 2017 before his neck injury, then a knee injury hindered him last year.

Running back Alfred Morris: McKinnon’s injury prompted his signing, and Morris’ goal-line fumble in the season opener at Minnesota set the tone for a disappointing year, which finished with him running for a season-high 111 yards and a TD at the Rams.

Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam: Injuries impacted his two seasons as the swing tackle, a spot the 49ers must now fill.

Defensive back Tyvis Powell: He got summoned a few times amid last season’s injury issues and didn’t draw a tender as a restricted free agent.